The National Weather Service is marking its 21st Lightning Safety Awareness Week by announcing a considerable decrease in the number of lightning deaths in the United States.

According to Nelson Vaz, a warning coordination meteorologist, “When LSAW began in 2001, the United States averaged 55 deaths per year based on the previous 10 years. That average has now dropped to 25 deaths per year despite an increase of 16% in the U.S. population.”

Vaz attributes the decrease to “better lightning safety policies and guidelines, and better medical attention for lightning victims.”

Between 2001 to 2020, at least 643 people have died across the country as a result of lightning strikes. Two more have died so far this year.

The National Weather Service has provided these useful links for everything lightning safety: